This week at Zora’s House, I continued to engage in a variety of projects that highlight the crucial role nonprofit organizations play in supporting and empowering women of color. My work provided me with hands-on experience in both community engagement and organizational operations, enabling me to understand how nonprofits operate as both service providers and catalysts for social change.

One of the main events I supported was the WoCo Summer Market. This vibrant gathering offers women of color entrepreneurs a platform to showcase and sell their products, build community, and expand their professional networks. During the event, I helped with setup, vendor coordination, and on-site logistics to ensure a positive experience for both vendors and guests. A key aspect of my role was distributing vendor experience surveys, which enabled us to collect valuable feedback directly from participants. This feedback is crucial for Zora’s House to assess the market’s impact, enhance future events, and ensure that the needs and experiences of vendors remain at the heart of the organization’s programming. Collecting data in this way reflects how nonprofits prioritize continuous improvement while remaining accountable to the communities they serve.

In addition to supporting the market, I continued to organize Zora’s House’s growing library collection, which currently includes over 350 books, primarily authored by women of color. The collection encompasses a diverse range of topics, including leadership, entrepreneurship, wellness, cultural identity, and social justice. Through this project, I’ve seen how nonprofits intentionally curate resources that amplify the voices of historically marginalized individuals and provide members with access to literature that affirms their identities and supports their personal and professional growth, often resources missing from mainstream institutions.

I also attended Zora’s House Leadership Fellowship orientation, where I observed the newest cohort of fellows begin their leadership development journey. The fellowship emphasizes mentorship, community-building, and skill development, showcasing how nonprofits foster long-term individual and collective empowerment. By attending this event, I am gaining a deeper understanding of the program that will help me evaluate its impact. 

Overall, this week deepened my understanding of the vital role nonprofits like Zora’s House play in building inclusive, responsive, and transformative community spaces.

See you next week,

Asia